If you have coeliac disease, ordinary rye bread is off the menu: rye contains gluten. For your summer holiday, choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free. Bread is a good option if you want a sandwich, while a compact snack can be more convenient as a backup for the journey. Check the ingredients and any cross-contamination warnings every time you buy.
You’re looking for a reliably gluten-free alternative to rye bread that you can eat on the go. The Dutch Coeliac Association points out that eating gluten-free on holiday takes preparation, particularly when eating out.
You want to have your own food to hand for someone with coeliac disease, without relying on what’s available at your destination. Keep this supply separate from ordinary bread and crumbs; the Dutch Coeliac Association also warns about cross-contamination.
You’re looking for an alternative to a rye bread sandwich. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list various gluten-free breads online, including multiseed bread. First, check the label on the individual product: colour, seeds and texture are no proof that it’s gluten-free.
First, check that the product is explicitly labelled gluten-free and look for any relevant warnings. Then choose between bread for your holiday accommodation, a compact backup for the journey, or ingredients and a texture that suit your breakfast.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling and cross-contamination | Look for the words ‘gluten-free’ and read the ingredients and any warnings on the entire pack. According to the Dutch Coeliac Association, ‘gluten-free’ means less than 20 mg of gluten per kg of product. | If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to assume a bread is suitable based on its colour or seeds. For an estimated 50% of shoppers, this check comes first. |
| Taking it with you and availability | Check whether the pack suits your trip and look at what’s currently available where you plan to shop. A separate backup supply can be useful for the first few days of your holiday. | I want to have something with me for the journey in case I can’t find a suitable shop straight away. This is probably the top buying priority for 30% of shoppers. |
| Type of bread and ingredients | Compare the shape, ingredients and portion size only after checking that the product is labelled gluten-free. | At breakfast, I’d prefer a sandwich to a cracker, as long as the product is suitable for me. Around 20% of shoppers prioritise this bread-like experience. |
Under EU Implementing Regulation 828/2014, rye contains gluten. A dark colour or seeds won’t tell you whether a bread contains rye or other gluten-containing grains.
Check for a gluten-free label first, then choose based on taste, texture or nutritional information.
The Dutch Coeliac Association points out that cross-contamination can also happen during production. So make sure you read any warnings on the pack too.
Keep your gluten-free food separate from ordinary bread while travelling, and check the label again whenever you buy a product.
A range of bread shown online doesn’t tell you which products are available in your local shop or at your holiday destination.
Check what’s available before you set off and take a separate gluten-free backup supply for the first few days.
Albert Heijn lists a gluten-free bread category online, with various types of bread.
Jumbo lists gluten-free bread products online from brands including Schär and Consenza.
Lidl lists products for different dietary needs and also offers a changing selection of additional gluten-free products.
These products suit different ways of packing food for your trip: lentil wafers as a compact snack, mini baguettes as potential bread portions, and a mix for making your own bread. Before using any product, check the current packaging for an explicit gluten-free label and any cross-contamination warnings.
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A small snack to take as a backup; lentil wafers don’t have the shape or texture of rye bread.
Check the current packaging for a gluten-free label and any warnings.
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For anyone who wants bread-like portions at their holiday accommodation. Before buying, check whether the pack contains part-baked rolls or a mix, and find out how to prepare them.
Also check the current packaging for a gluten-free label and any allergen or cross-contamination information.
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For anyone who wants to make their own bread at their holiday accommodation and has the facilities to do so; this is a bread mix, not a ready-to-eat portion for your journey.
Check the preparation instructions, ingredients and any warnings on the current packaging.
No. Rye contains gluten, so ordinary rye bread isn’t a gluten-free option if you have coeliac disease, regardless of its colour or how many seeds it contains.
Look for an explicit gluten-free label and read the full label every time you buy, including any cross-contamination warnings. According to the Dutch Coeliac Association, ‘gluten-free’ means less than 20 mg of gluten per kg of product.
No, this isn’t automatically required by the rules on baker’s salt. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that iodine compounds may be present in bread and bread substitutes. To find out whether this applies to a particular product, ask the manufacturer or check the product information.
Take a separately packed gluten-free backup that suits your trip, and check the labels before you leave. For eating out, the Dutch Coeliac Association also recommends preparing an explanation of coeliac disease in advance, for example with a dietary card in the language spoken at your destination.
